Marine unit to deploy under SEAL command.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: Cover Story

An elite unit of about 85 Marines is scheduled to deploy in April as part of a Navy SEAL squadron. The detachment, for all intents and purposes, formalizes the Marine Corps' relationship with the U.S. Special Operations Command.

Although Marines often have fought alongside special operations forces, there is now a "formal commitment" by SOCOM and the Marine Corps to set up a more structured organization that links the two, explained Vice Adm. Eric T. Olson, deputy commander of SOCOM.

In November 2001, the Marine Corps and SOCOM signed a so-called memorandum of agreement that set a foundation for closer cooperation. In the battlefield, however, that cooperation already was under way, regardless of the MOA, said Olson.

Navy SEALs and Marines who fought together in Iraq and Afghanistan were unaware of the MOA until after they returned to the United States, Olson told the NDIA Expeditionary Warfare conference. "Although there is much recent discussion of SOCOM-Marine Corps integration, it's not as if SOF and Marines haven't already been working in close cooperation for a long time."

Approximately 100 Marines currently are filling front-line jobs in support of special operators. The Corps has fought with SOCOM in Somalia, Yemen, Philippines, Georgia, Kuwait, Qatar, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Marines and SOF have conducted joint heavy-lift helicopter support, security operations, recovery of aircraft and personnel, close air support, logistics and engineering, casualty evacuation and intelligence sharing, officials said.

The SOF-Marine relationship will be moving to a new level, said Olson. The Marine detachment scheduled to deploy in April establishes "structures and oversight to enhance interoperability between our forces," he said. "It's about time."

Additionally, a joint program is in place for the Marines and SOF to share acquisition and developmental information on weapon systems, munitions and communications.

"Previously restricted SOF equipment information will be shared," said Olson. Examples of joint programs include rotary wing support for air assault and parachute operations.

Under a recent pilot program managed by the European Command, the theater SOF commander and Marine units collaborated in deploying amphibious ready groups. This is the type of cooperation that is must helpful, said Olson. "It compels the development of tactics, techniques and procedures to improve responsiveness of forward-based SOF and Marines to prosecute time-sensitive operations."

Marines and SOF officials will co-chair a joint...